Fresno Pacific got its season off on the right foot, defeating Northwest Christian 70-65 on Wednesday night in head coach Erin Scholz's coaching debut.

Five FPU players finished in double figures, including three freshmen led by point guard Jenay Herring with a team-high 15. Breana Buczek finished with 13 points and five blocks, Michele Rebozzi had 12 points and Callie Rohrbacker added 10. Kelly Thompson posted a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds.

The Sunbirds were tested late when Jessica Torrecillas fouled out with 4:45 to play and the team leading 62-53. The visiting Beacons would run off seven straight points to cut the lead to two until Herring found Buczek cutting to the basket for a layup with 2:14 remaining.

FPU still led by four in the final minute, but NWC's Lori Renner hit a three-pointer to make the score 66-65. Thompson made two crucial free-throws on the next possession and Buczek blocked Renner's three-point attempt that would have tied the game. Rebozzi then calmly sank two free throws to put the game out of reach.

The Sunbirds led for most of the game and used some aggressive rebounding, timely shooting and solid teamwork to maintain the lead.

FPU led by as many as 10 in the first half but the Beacons would cut it to four heading into the locker room. Rebozzi came out firing for the Sunbirds to start the second half, hitting two threes and a running layup to extend the lead.

The Beacons would come back though with some good shooting of their own and would take the lead 42-41 on two free throws by Aly Bruns with 13:41 left. The Sunbirds regained the lead for good on the next possession with a putback by Buczek.

The Sunbirds out-rebounded the visiting Beacons 40-27 and hit eight three-pointers in the win. Torrecillas finished with nine points, eight rebounds and four steals, in addition to the other five players in double figures.

"I'm pleased our team pulled out the win and even more pleased with the balanced scoring of our team," said Scholz after her first career win as a head coach.

Hope Williams led Northwest Christian with 16 points. Renner finished with 15 and Bruns had 13 as the Beacons dropped to 1-2 on the season.

In a rare piece of scheduling, the two teams will face each other again on Friday, this time on a neutral court as part of the Bill Holtz Warrior Classic hosted by William Jessup in Rocklin.